Voltaic Systems Inc. (New York, NY) reported that it is offering a backpack that features three solar panels. The panels feed a battery back that, via various adapters, can charge a variety of gadgets, including cell phones, cameras, GPS detectors, MP3 players and two-way radios. The backpack is designed with numerous sleeves and pouches to handle the gadgets. The whole package, battery and all, weighs 3.5 lbs.
The company says the solar panels can charge a cell phone in four to six hours — as long as the backpack remains in direct sunlight the entire time. The backpack will be available in late November at a price of $230.
